1986Final results
1986 election for U.S. Senate in Utah
U.S. Senate · Utah
E. J. "jake" Garn (R) won with 72.3% of the vote, defeating Craig S. Oliver (D) by 45.8 points.
E. J. "jake" GarnRepublican · winner
72.3%314,608
Craig S. OliverDemocrat
26.6%115,523
Hugh A. ButlerLibertarian
0.7%3,023
Mary ZinsSocialist Workers
0.4%1,863
435,111 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1986
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Craig S. OliverE. J. "jake" Garn
$24.5K
Raised by the campaign
$1M
$24.5K
Spent by the campaign
$752.9K
$0
Cash on hand
$285.3K
Campaign money: FEC, through Nov 24, 1986; FEC, through Dec 31, 1986.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1986
The candidates
E. J. "jake" Garn (R)Craig S. Oliver (D)
Also on the ballot: Hugh A. Butler (Libertarian), 0.7%; Mary Zins (Socialist Workers), 0.4%